This topic seems to be so hotly denied on many threads I read on here (MN in general, that is).
Or else, admitted, but denied on a personal level. As in, 'OK sure, societal conditioning happens, but I choose to do X because I prefer it'. Acknowledgement of societal conditioning, but a peronal distancing of themselves from it, as if they're above such things.
We all undertand how marketing works, how social norms and unseen pressures work, and yet so many people insist it doesn't work on them.
Is it because to admit you're affected by it means you're somehow not very smart, don't have much nous, susceptible, gullible? What?
People also say that the accusation of social conditioned is patronising. Why?
I'm intelligent, well-read, educated, and I fully admit to being socially conditioned on so many levels. I'm not in the least bit patronised by the suggestion. Why would I be so arrogant as to believe that I am immune to it?
Anyone else?